Compression garments when travelling. Do I need them?

Sitting for long periods of time without actively moving your legs, especially on a plane, on a bus, on a train or in a car, can slow down the blood flow in your legs and increase the risk of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Painful and swollen legs are often the first symptoms.

Some factors to take into consideration when travelling are:

will your trip take more than 4 hours

age (are you over 40?)

weight (are you overweight?)

family history of thrombosis, embolism or clotting problems

varicose veins

heart problems

pregnancy

history of cancer

are you taking hormones (e.g. the pill)

recent operations

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then it is advisable for you to wear travel stockings. If you have answered yes to 3 or more questions then you may like to ask your doctor about the best precautionary measures. If these include a prescription for medical compression stockings then come and see me.